MCI WorldCom Comments On Private Sector Proposals On Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (Iana)

BACKGROUND: On Oct. 13, 1998,

MCI WorldCom urged the Department of Commerce to adopt a consensus
plan for shifting administration of the Internet domain name system
from federal control to the private sector. In comments filed with
the DoC's National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, MCI WorldCom said a plan submitted by the Internet
Assigned Numbers Authority holds the most promise for an orderly and
effective transition.
Under the IANA proposal, a non-profit Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers would be established. While acknowledging
that the IANA plan is not perfect, MCI WorldCom stated that it meets
the key criteria of being private and non-profit, international in
character, and representative of the widest possible range of
Internet interests.

The plan was submitted to NTIA by IANA on Oct. 2, 1998, following
extensive discussions and negotiations among interested parties
around the world. NTIA called on industry to formulate such a plan in
a June 5, 1998 "white paper."

October 13, 1998

Hon. William M. Daley, Secretary

United States Department of Commerce

c/o NTIA/OIA

14th & Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20230

Secretary Daley:

MCI WorldCom is pleased to comment on the private sector proposals
for a new organization to provide the functions currently provided
under U.S. Government contract by the Internet Assigned Numbers
Authority (IANA) at USC Information Sciences Institute. This
statement is in response to the Department of Commerce's
September 29, 1998 press release and its notice posted at the web
site of the National Telecommunications Information Administration
(NTIA: www.ntia.doc.gov).

For approximately three years, several efforts have been made to
develop proposals to re-organize and re-constitute the administration
of the central administrative functions required for the proper
operation of the Internet. For the most part, these proposals have
revolved around the establishment of a private sector, non-profit
organization which would manage the allocation of Internet Protocol
addresses, top level domain names, the population of root domain name
server databases and the registration and documentation of
identifiers needed for the operation of the Internet Protocol
Suite.

MCI WorldCom believes that any organization set up to perform
these vital functions must be international in character, in the
private and non-profit sector, and plainly mindful of the interests
of the widest range of parties interested in the well-being and
continued smooth operation of the global Internet. MCI WorldCom has
participated in many of the discussions concerning this matter and,
as a major supplier of Internet services, believes that the
transition to this new administrative organization must be undertaken
with considerable care to maintain the healthy operation of the
Internet during the period of organizational change.

MCI WorldCom believes that the proposal for the establishment of
the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
submitted on behalf of the existing IANA on October 2, 1998, in its
fifth draft form, represents the most workable plan for the new
administrative organization. Although we believe that improvements
could be made in some provisions in the proposed By-Laws, perhaps as
instruments executed by the Board of Directors for the new
organization, it is MCI WorldCom's position that this proposal
enjoys the support of the vast majority of affected parties and would
serve these many stakeholders and the users of the Internet better
than any alternative proposed thus far.

MCI WorldCom has already made commitments to support the new
organization in all ways it deems reasonable, including short-term
financial support if this is needed, and encourages all other
interested parties to join with many others in the Internet Community
who have expressed similar support. Together, we can assure the
survival and continued healthy growth of the Internet on a global
basis.

Sincerely,

Vinton G. Cerf

Senior Vice President

Internet Architecture & Technology

MCI WorldCom, Inc.

CC: Karen Rose

For more information on MCI WorldCom, visit the World Wide Web at
http://www.wcom.com

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